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National symbols

• In 2013, Canadians were most likely to believe the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (93%) and the national flag (91%) were important to the national identity. Next highest were the national anthem (88%), the RCMP (87%), and hockey (77%).
• Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador were among the most likely to feel that national symbols were very important to the Canadian identity, while Quebecers were the least likely.
• A strong belief in the importance of the national anthem and flag steadily increased with age, while appreciation of most national symbols, with the exception of hockey, was higher among women.
• For every national symbol, immigrants were more likely than non-immigrants to believe that they were very important to the national identity. This was particularly evident for the national anthem (75% versus 61%). The appreciation of national symbols was also elevated among visible minorities, mirroring the overlap between immigrants and visible minorities.

Shared values

• The majority of people believed that Canadians shared specific values, though this was most often seen in relation to the value of human rights (92%), and less often the case for Aboriginal culture (68%) and linguistic duality (73%).
• A strong belief in Canadian shared values was most prevalent in Ontario, where the population was generally more likely to feel to a great extent that Canadians shared a common set of values. Having a strong belief in shared values was also more common among young people, men, immigrants, and visible minorities.
• Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment and income were more likely to strongly believe that the values of human rights, respect for the law, and gender equality were collectively shared by Canadians. However, they were less likely to strongly believe that Canadians value linguistic duality and Aboriginal culture.

Pride

• Nearly nine in ten (87%) were proud to call themselves Canadian, with more than half (61%) saying they were very proud. Levels of pride were greatest for Canadian history (70%), Canada’s armed forces (64%), the health care system (64%) and the Canadian Constitution (63%). Pride was lowest for Canada’s political influence on the world, at 46%.
• Outside Quebec, feelings of pride in being Canadian ranged from 91% in British Columbia to 94% in Prince Edward Island. In Quebec, 70% described being proud or very proud in being Canadian. Quebec residents were also consistently less likely to report pride in specific Canadian achievements.
• Feelings of pride in being Canadian were greatest among seniors and women, though this pride did not necessarily extend to specific examples of Canadian life, such as the health care system.
• First-generation and second-generation immigrants were most likely to feel both pride in being Canadian and pride in Canadian achievements.